2018 term 2: week 8: Photo Manipulation & Portfolios

Graphic design students are finishing up with their environmental designs.  We have created some work that we will Photoshop into various locations that have been photographed.  We will expand on these techniques as we make creative photo manipulations.  I always look forward to seeing the ideas that students come up with when they do these projects.

Advanced graphic design is finishing up working on their term projects.  This week, they should finish up with the main project itself.  They will then put together their portfolios.  The portfolios include each of the elements from their project, along with detailed reflections of their work.  Students can use these portfolios as they apply to schools or for scholarships that require evidence of large projects they have worked on.

It has been great having the opportunity getting to know the students in these classes this term, and I wish the time hasn't gone so quickly!

2018 term 2: week 5 & 6: Typography, infographics, and Projects

Happy Thanksgiving!  Here is what we have going on in graphic design 1 & 2 the next few weeks.  Graphic design 1 students will be finishing up learning about typography.  We will complete everything by making our own typeface on the computers.  We will then start learning about infographics, and putting one together over a topic of our choice.

Advanced graphic design students will be working on their term projects and having weekly conferences.

2018 term 2: week 4: Branding Guides and Projects

Graphic design 1 students are finishing up their business stationery layouts and posting them to their portfolios.  They will then be learning about branding guides and identity standards.  The class will put together a guide for their own imaginary business.

Graphic design 2 students have turned in their project boards, and are now getting to work on their projects!  There are some great ideas and great work being done in class right now!!

2018 term 2: week 3: Identity Design, Branding, & Projects

Here is where we are at for graphic design 1 and 2 this third week of the term.

Graphic Design 1:  Students have finished up demonstrating their ability to use the design process.  Students created the digital version of their logos, then posted them to their online portfolios along with their reflections on what they have learned.  Students will next learn about branding and using consistent identities.  We will create some business stationery/promotional materials for our imaginary companies using our logos as the focus.  We will then put together a branding guide or identity standard.

Graphic Design 2:  Students are finished with their proposals and timelines.  Many students have turned in their project boards.  We will be sure all of our project boards are in by the end of this week, and will start working on our projects.  Students will also meet with me individually explaining to me their progress and letting me know their thoughts on how things are going.

2018 term 2: week 2: Photoshop and Project Planning

We are already through 1 week in our design classes, here is what we have going on this week:

Graphic Design 1:  Students have finished their research of careers and topics in graphic design.  I was really impressed with the work the students turned in so far!  We then discussed the design process that we will be using in our class this term with all of our projects.  The first project we will work on is an identity design with our initials.  We looked at examples of logos while playing a logo game, then came up with a list of rules to keep in mind when creating an effective identity design.  Students then sketched out ideas for logos they want to make for their next project.  We got class feedback, then drew a draft down on paper.  Before we create our logo on the computer, we are spending a week or so getting to know the digital tools we will be using in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.  One tutorial this week will involve turning a picture of a pumpkin into a glowing jack-o-lantern.

Graphic Design 2:  Students are finishing up their project proposals and time-lines.  This week, we will be starting to assemble our mood boards/project boards.  These will be sources of inspiration and focus for our projects this term.  Students will be collecting assets of similar work and putting it onto a collage along with the sources of where they found their information.  Once they get this finished, we will start the long process of working on our term projects!

2018 term 2: week 1: Getting Started

We are already into term 2!  Here is what is happening at NPHS in Graphic Design and Advanced Graphic Design:

Graphic Design students will be getting signed in to their computer accounts and familiarized with classroom expectations and procedures.  We will then start researching various career fields in graphic design.  Students will create a paper that covers their findings and will turn this in by the end of class on Friday.

Advanced Graphic Design students will also be getting familiarized with expectations and procedures.  Students will be creating a term-long project of their choice.  This first week will be used for brainstorming ideas, and writing their project proposal for what they will be working on for the next 9 weeks.  The project proposal will be due to me on Friday.

I'm looking forward to getting to know everybody in class and can't wait to see all the great things you create!

2018 term 1: week 9: advanced designs

The term is already about over!  Students have their environmental designs turned in.  This week, we will be working on a variety of advanced designs.  Some of these designs include Photoshop photo manipulations, animated cinemagraphs, and 3D model designs.  Students will be finishing this course with an understanding of graphic design, the design process, and with a digital portfolio with reflections and their projects.